Punctuation makes ideas clear for they help the readers’ eyes move from one idea to the next.
The Period:
1. The period ends declarative sentences. I am tired.
2. The period is used to abbreviate dates. It was Jan. 25, 2006.
3. The period indicates a decimal point. It cost $2.95.
4. The period follows someone’s initials. He is called J.T. Smith.
The Comma:
1. Separates independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (and, or, nor, but, yet, for). If a sentence is short, no comma is needed. McCrary’s use of the unnecessary metals is annoying, but the students put up with his lectures. I like him for he is nice.
2. Separates a dependent clause preceding a main clause. Since he left early, he missed the performance.
3. Separates words that might be unclear. What the problem is, is unclear.
4. Separates words in Apposition. John Smithton, president of the Ayers Foundry and first man to run for mayor from the newly-formed District One, denied any knowledge of the payoff.
5. Separates parenthetical words and phrases necessary for transitions. However, the man was arrested later.
6. Separates year, date, city and state. It was Jan. 10 when he left Dallas, Texas.
7. Separates exclamatory figures. John Smith, 22, was arrested, according to police.
8. Separates nominative of address. He said, Mr. Speaker, may I have the floor?
9. Separates off direct quotes. She said, “How about you, Mister Speaker?”
10. Separates items in a series. The old, green, house collapsed in the high wind.
11. Separates prepositional, participial and infinitive phrases preceding the main clause. Having suffered heavy losses, the troops withdrew. To provide the incentive, Jones listed six options. After days of heavy filibustering, the Senate passed the bill.
